American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jun 2013
Comparative StudyRegulatory T cells attenuate mycobacterial stasis in alveolar and blood-derived macrophages from patients with tuberculosis.
There are hardly any data about the frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (T-Regs) in the lungs of patients with active tuberculosis (TB). ⋯ In patients with TB the alveolar compartment is enriched for CD4(+) T-Regs. Peripheral blood-derived T-Regs decrease the ability of alveolar and monocyte-derived macrophages to restrict the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the presence of effector cells. Collectively, these data suggest that CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T-Regs subvert antimycobacterial immunity in human TB.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jun 2013
ReviewCoal mine dust lung disease. New lessons from old exposure.
Coal mining remains a sizable industry, with millions of working and retired coal miners worldwide. This article provides an update on recent advances in the understanding of respiratory health issues in coal miners and focuses on the spectrum of disease caused by inhalation of coal mine dust, termed coal mine dust lung disease. ⋯ Recent recognition of rapidly progressive pneumoconiosis in younger miners, mainly in the eastern United States, has increased the sense of urgency and the need for vigilance in medical research, clinical diagnosis, and exposure prevention. Given the risk for disease progression even after exposure removal, along with few medical treatment options, there is an important role for chest physicians in the recognition and management of lung disease associated with work in coal mining.